GT9111

Agree! its not like the old days when 911S commands respect.

nick49

Real difference between X50 and S model.

For starters, the Turbo S model was only made the last year of 996 production which was '05. All 996s produced in '05 were Turbos and the vast majority were S models and most of those Cabs. An '05 S Turbo Coupe is quite rare. Very rare as well are '05 Turbos that are non S models.

Porsche bundled the X50 package which was larger turbos and intercoolers, the PCCB brakes, full leather interior with console and a few other small cptions including an interior and rear deck S badge, for the Turbo S model. The S models were much cheaper than a similarly equipped '04 model as the bundled price of the options offered a huge discount.

I don't know Porsche's reasons but all other models in '05 were 997 models, perhaps the Turbo in the 997 version was not ready to be released so they dolled up the 996 with the S package to stimulate sales.

It's debatable if the X50 package is really an asset or not, same with the PCCB brakes.There are many threads on this already.

SimonK

Same power upgrade without the ceramic brakes and interior central console turbo S badge and rear deck lid S badge. The S cars are sought after someone who really wants a rarer S - i.e. something special. The S will therefore always fetch a bit more because x50 is just a power upgrade option. Personally, I would say it is worth about 10-20% more, which if you are buying and come across a good one IMO, is worth it but only from the “latest, rarest, a bit special point of view”. Power wise 996TT stock versus x50 versus S debate is a bit pointless in the real world. Tuned or not tuned, 20-30bhp more, with slightly different power delivery curves - who cares, they are all great versions and fast enough for any road application. If you are a track junky then as we all know every 10th counts, so bring on all available power mods.

tel2931

I purchased an 05 S coupe a few years ago, attracted by the whole package but admittedly also by the "S" designation, realizing that it didn't have the same differentiation as a 993 Turbo S. I thought that I would have preferred a 997, but have really enjoyed the 996. One of the best things have been the DIY's posted on Rennlist and other forums. I decided to "tastefully" mod the car rather than leaving it stock, realizing that this may affect resale but increase my fun factor. Euro spec Porsche racing suspension, 997 SSK, Europipe exhaust, Kevin's UMW Stage 1 flash and 997 GT3 seats. Great car! Only wish I didn't live in the frozen tundra so I could enjoy it year round.

DesignerGenes

So, here is the Turbo S. Besides 444 HP instead of the 415 of a standard Turbo, it has: ceramic brakes and full PCM with integrated phone and navigation. Besides the larger turbochargers, G24s, and slightly hotter ECM (my factory original car hits 1.1 bar), the biggest change is those brakes. I love them! No dust .. at all. I've hit them hard at 150 mph - repeatedly - and they haven't minded it a bit. Ceramic brakes are an $8,400 option on the standard Turbo.

wross996tt

Uhmmmm....that is not factory boost, sorry!

SimonK

Wross996tt is right. Factory S boost is 0.9 if I recall correctly. As mine is now 1.3 I forget what was stock.

"02996ttx50

agree on boost. my x50 was .9 max and god knows i sought higher numbers with my foot.. my current car flashed w 16/24's is 1.2. this one almost pulls wheelies the x50 did not.

tvurt

Nope

Receiver

Hi Tom. Nice to see that you still have the car.

I drive mine all year round and it's a joy. However I still have the 993 turbo as the summer toy.

I see you've done some mods since we last communicated. Which mod is the one you recommend the most?

Best regards

1AS

I'm the original owner of my 02 X50, and use it as a daily transportation, including winter on 4 snows. It now has 80,000 miles, and I've been very satisfied.
Speaking from experience, I'm not sure that , on the street, you can feel the difference in the base power of the 02 tt and the X50, until the mods start. Stock, I never saw great boost in first gear, and really needed to wind out third gear to see .9. My recollection is that each .1 bar added about 10 hp to the max output (A guy named CJV posted tons of dyno data- then deleted all of it).
I first went with the Imagine Auto tune- big disappointment. Then I took Kevin's advice and went with UMW. Huge difference. You see real boost in the parking lot, and it rapidly will jump to 1.2. The torque characteristics are also better, which means it's easy to cruise at low rpm on the highway and accelerate without shifting down. Also added PS 10's (lowered the car to GT2 specs, keep the shocks at 2 front, 3 rear), and a Europipe
I have never understood buying an expensive car and letting it sit in the garage to "preserve value". They still depreciate, and your cost per mile goes way up.
Was the X50 package really worth $17,000 in 2002? I'd say, "not really". Is it worth a few thousand more on a used car that you might also have Kevin massage? I'd say definitely. Do you ever get the money back? You're kidding, right? So, if you buy it, you may as well drive it, a lot.
My recollection is that the X50 package also included steel synchro's. I've had no problems at all with my gearbox, so maybe there is real meaning in terms of reliability.
I'd say that it's best to look for the best car. if it has the X50 package, it is great to pick up. I wouldn't want the ceramic brakes, because I'd never, ever, want to replace them. The way things are going, 4 discs could equal half the value of the car, and there is nothing wrong with the steel discs. I could not fade them. AS

Lance 4c

Just got home from a spirited remote mountainous drive. I can't say enough about the UMW stage 2 tune. This on a non x-50. All i can say is wow. The reduced lag, imediate boost, wow. As far as 1st gear...i only use it to get going, 2nd gear raps so fast...and then 3rd, wow, 4th, well then you may just exceed the speed limit if not careful.

Signalmtb

So does anyone know what the GT2 spec height is? Here's my suspension setup, I may raise it just a bit (~6-7mm) to bring a slight gap between the tire and the fender (currently tires sits just at or a mm or 2 tucked into the fender). I'd like it just a little up, but rather than just go on looks, I'd prefer to be a bit more planned/purposeful about it.


here's my setup:
H&R RSS Coilover system
Tarett rear coil over brackets
Tarett Adjustable rear drop links
RSS adjustable front drop links



Here's a pic of the ride height with 19"s, curious as to what GT2 spec is:

Third-Reef

The x50 and I assume the S have the GT version of the oil pump also. When I drive up I my X50 no one seems to notice though. The S model is worth some extra coin for the PCCB if nothing else.

"02996ttx50

996 GT2 Suspension modifications lower the car by 0.78-inches front and rear from 996 911 turbo.